[Quote No.53868] Need Area: Friends > General "[Individualism:] The natural effort of every individual to better his own condition [enlightened self-interest], when suffered to exert itself with freedom and security [no force or fraud] is so powerful a principle that it is alone, and without any assistance, not only capable of carrying on the society to [free market capitalist] wealth and prosperity, but of surmounting a hundred impertinent obstructions with which the folly of human laws too often incumbers its operations; though the effect of these obstructions is always more or less either to encroach upon its freedom, or to diminish its security." - Adam Smith(1723-1790) Scottish philosopher and economist. Quote is from 1776. Source: 'An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations' paragraph IV.5.82.
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[Quote No.53917] Need Area: Friends > General "[Individual, unalienable, human rights that even a majority morally should not be allowed to transgress - i.e. a Bill of Individual Rights:] [W]hen society is itself the tyrant—society collectively over the separate individuals who compose it—its means of tyrannizing are not restricted to the acts which it may do by the hands of its political functionaries. Society can and does execute its own mandates: and if it issues wrong mandates instead of right, or any mandates at all in things with which it ought not to meddle, it practises a social tyranny more formidable than many kinds of political oppression, since, though not usually upheld by such extreme penalties, it leaves fewer means of escape, penetrating much more deeply into the details of life, and enslaving the soul itself. Protection, therefore, against the tyranny of the magistrate is not enough: There needs protection also against the tyranny of the prevailing opinion and feeling; against the tendency of society to impose, by other means than civil penalties, its own ideas and practices as rules of conduct on those who dissent from them; to fetter the development, and, if possible, prevent the formation, of any individuality not in harmony with its ways, and compel all characters to fashion themselves upon the model of its own period. There is a limit to the legitimate interference of collective opinion with individual independence: and to find that limit, and maintain it against encroachment, is as indispensable to a good condition of human affairs, as protection against political despotism." - John Stuart Mill'On Liberty', 1859.
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[Quote No.54045] Need Area: Friends > General "There is in all of us a strong disposition to believe that anything lawful is also legitimate. This belief is so widespread that many persons have erroneously held that things are ‘just’ because the law makes them so [but laws can be unjust, even if supported by a majority in a democracy. That is why there is the philosophical concept of unalienable, human rights and therefore in many democratic countries, political and legal 'Bill of Rights' that even majorities cannot deny minorities, especially the smallest minority, namely individuals]." - Frederic BastiatFrench lawyer and social philosopherAuthor's Info on Wikipedia - Author on ebay - Author on Amazon - More Quotes by this AuthorStart Searching Amazon for GiftsSend as Free eCard with optional Google Image

[Quote No.54157] Need Area: Friends > General "Beware unscrupulous governments that need more domestic support and power because history has shown that in order to generate greater 'patriotism' and get an excuse to explain and justify why they need to increase their 'legal' powers over their own citizens, they will engineer, provoke or 'black flag' a fearful crisis. This has taken the form of pogroms, conflict and war throughout history.
Nineteenth-century German historians had a phrase, 'Primat der Innenpolitik', meaning that all foreign policy was essentially driven by domestic concerns. One government would pick a fight with another, not because of geopolitical imperatives, but in order to shore up its support at home.
Shakespeare has Henry IV give his son some advice from the deathbed: 'Be it thy course to busy giddy minds with foreign quarrels.'
Always try to understand the true motives of any government which necessitates looking below the surface explanation generated by the political spin-doctors, propagandists and media-handlers." - UnknownAuthor's Info on Wikipedia - Author on ebay - Author on Amazon - More Quotes by this AuthorStart Searching Amazon for GiftsSend as Free eCard with optional Google Image

[Quote No.54168] Need Area: Friends > General "[Empathy and Mirror Neurons: - According to Wikipedia, 'A mirror neuron is a neuron that fires both when an animal acts and when the animal observes the same action performed by another. Thus, the neuron 'mirrors' the behavior of the other, as though the observer were itself acting.'] We used to say, metaphorically, that 'I can feel another's pain.' But now we know that my mirror neurons can literally feel your pain. Mirror neurons dissolve the barrier between you and someone else. " - Vilayanur RamachandranNeuroscientist and director of the Center for Brain and Cognition at UCSD. (Refer Christian Keysers' and Edwin Rutsch's book, 'The Empathic Brain: How the Discovery of Mirror Neurons Changes our Understanding of Human Nature'. Christian Keysers is professor and group leader of the Social Brain Lab at the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands. The lab explores the biological nature and neuroscience of empathy.) [Also Refer http://cultureofempathy.com/references/Mirror-Neurons.htm ]Author's Info on Wikipedia - Author on ebay - Author on Amazon - More Quotes by this AuthorStart Searching Amazon for GiftsSend as Free eCard with optional Google Image

[Quote No.54265] Need Area: Friends > General "[A story - with a message about love and hate, kindness and anger, confidence and fear, etc:] 'The Wolves Within'
An old Grandfather, whose grandson came to him with anger at a schoolmate who had done him an injustice, said, 'Let me tell you a story. I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do. But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times.' He continued, 'It is as if there are two wolves inside me; one is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him and does not take offence when no offence was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way. But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit.' The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eye and asked, 'Which one wins, Grandfather?' The Grandfather solemnly said, 'The one I feed.'" - UnknownAuthor's Info on Wikipedia - Author on ebay - Author on Amazon - More Quotes by this AuthorStart Searching Amazon for GiftsSend as Free eCard with optional Google Image

[Quote No.54321] Need Area: Friends > General "[A true story - with a message about the dangerously stifling effects of authoritarian state power and the systematic removal of individual freedom and responsibility on the thoughts and behaviour - not to mention the potential, productivity and competence - of ordinary people:] 'The Dangers of Statism'
When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the communications trade union for which I then worked received several delegations from the emergent nations and we ran courses for them on how market economies operated and how free collective bargaining was conducted. As is my practice when lecturing to foreign audiences, I had my visual aids translated into the vernacular, so I used overhead slides in Russian, although of course I spoke in English and had an interpreter.
I cannot read the Cyrillic alphabet and know very little Russian, so I just worked through my slides in order. However, there came a point when I could tell from the statistical data on the latest slide that, for the previous ten minutes, I had been speaking to the wrong slide. British students would have pointed this out in seconds, but none of the Russians had said a word.
I was perplexed and asked why nobody had told me that I had been speaking to the wrong slide. Eventually one brave soul volunteered an answer and the interpreter translated: ‘In our country, no one challenges the teacher’." - Roger DarlingtonAuthor's Info on Wikipedia - Author on ebay - Author on Amazon - More Quotes by this AuthorStart Searching Amazon for GiftsSend as Free eCard with optional Google Image

[Quote No.54327] Need Area: Friends > General "[A story - with a message about morality, ethics and what is the right way to treat your spouse and all individuals - by respecting their unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and property so long as they respect those same rights for others:] King Arthur And The Witch' -
Young King Arthur was ambushed and imprisoned by the monarch of a neighboring kingdom. The monarch could have killed him but was moved by Arthur's youth and ideals. So, the monarch offered him his freedom, as long as he could answer a very difficult question. Arthur would have a year to figure out the answer and, if after a year, he still had no answer, he would be put to death.
The question?....What do women really want? Such a question would perplex even the most knowledgeable man, and to young Arthur, it seemed an impossible query. But, since it was better than death, he accepted the monarch's proposition to have an answer by year's end.
He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everyone: the princess, the priests, the wise men and even the court jester. He spoke with everyone, but no one could give him a satisfactory answer. Many people advised him to consult the old witch, for only she would have the answer. But the price would be high; as the witch was famous throughout the kingdom for the exorbitant prices she charged.
The last day of the year arrived and Arthur had no choice but to talk to the witch She agreed to answer the question, but he would have to agree to her price first. The old witch wanted to marry Sir Lancelot, the most noble of the Knights of the Round Table and Arthur's closest friend! Young Arthur was horrified. She was hunchbacked and hideous, had only one tooth, smelled like sewage, made obscene noises, etc. He had never encountered such a repugnant creature in all his life.
He refused to force his friend to marry her and endure such a terrible burden; but Lancelot, learning of the proposal, spoke with Arthur. He said nothing was too big of a sacrifice compared to Arthur's life and the preservation of the Round Table.
Hence, a wedding was proclaimed and the witch answered Arthur's question thus: What a woman really wants, she answered....is to be in charge of her own life! Everyone in the kingdom instantly knew that the witch had uttered a great truth and that Arthur's life would be spared. And so it was, the neighboring monarch granted Arthur his freedom and Lancelot and the witch had a wonderful wedding.
The honeymoon hour approached and Lancelot, steeling himself for a horrific experience, entered the bedroom. But, what a sight awaited him. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen lay before him on the bed. The astounded Lancelot asked what had happened
The beauty replied that since he had been so kind to her when she appeared as a witch, she would henceforth, be her horrible deformed self only half the time and the beautiful maiden the other half. Which would he prefer? Beautiful during the day...or night?
Lancelot pondered the predicament. During the day, a beautiful woman to show off to his friends, but at night, in the privacy of his castle, an old witch? Or, would he prefer having a hideous witch during the day, but by night, a beautiful woman for him to enjoy wondrous intimate moments?
Noble Lancelot said that he would allow HER to make the choice herself. Upon hearing this, she announced that she would be beautiful all the time because he had respected her enough to let her be in charge of her own life." - UnknownAuthor's Info on Wikipedia - Author on ebay - Author on Amazon - More Quotes by this AuthorStart Searching Amazon for GiftsSend as Free eCard with optional Google Image

[Quote No.54370] Need Area: Friends > General "[A story - with a message about teamwork and unity and the self-defence and martial arts strategy of 'divide and conquer':] Aesop's Fables - The Father and His Sons - A father had a family of sons who were perpetually quarreling among themselves. When he failed to heal their disputes by his exhortations, he determined to give them a practical illustration of the evils of disunion; and for this purpose he one day told them to bring him a bundle of sticks. When they had done so, he placed the faggot into the hands of each of them in succession, and ordered them to break it in pieces. They tried with all their strength, and were not able to do it. He next opened the faggot, took the sticks separately, one by one, and again put them into his sons' hands, upon which they broke them easily. He then addressed them in these words: 'My sons, if you are of one mind, and unite to assist each other, you will be as this faggot, uninjured by all the attempts of your enemies; but if you are divided among yourselves, you will be broken as easily as these sticks.'" - AesopAuthor's Info on Wikipedia - Author on ebay - Author on Amazon - More Quotes by this AuthorStart Searching Amazon for GiftsSend as Free eCard with optional Google Image

[Quote No.54371] Need Area: Friends > General "[A story - with a message about self-defence and martial arts:] 'DISUNITY INVITES ENEMIES'
Once a frog lived in a marsh and nearby lived a mouse in a hole. They were good friends but one day they entered a dispute. Both of them claimed to be the owner of the marsh. The frog was stronger than the mouse but the mouse was very clever. He hid himself under the grass, attacked the frog and harmed him a lot. The frog, seeing this, decided to put an end to the dispute and challenged the mouse to a clash. Without any hesitation, the mouse accepted the challenge. Both armed themselves with a point of reed to use it like a spear. Both of them were sure of their victory. When they were about to start fighting, a hawk came there flying. Hovering in the sky, she saw the animals ready for a duel. So, she swooped down, caught them both in her claws and carried them away to feed her young." - UnknownAuthor's Info on Wikipedia - Author on ebay - Author on Amazon - More Quotes by this AuthorStart Searching Amazon for GiftsSend as Free eCard with optional Google Image

[Quote No.54381] Need Area: Friends > General "[A story - about ethics, morality and reciprocity:] - 'The Lion and the Mouse' - It was a hot summer day. The sun was shining bright up in the sky. A lion was sitting under the shade of a big tree and in time it fell asleep. Nearby that tree, there was a hole, in which there lived a mouse. When the lion was sleeping, the mouse came out of its hole and saw him asleep. Unaware of the lion's strength, it got tickled by an idea. It thought of waking up the lion by running over his body just for fun. Unfortunately, the lion seized it in his strong paw. He was going to kill it when it begged, ‘Spare me, sir; someday I may repay your mercy.’ The lion was amused hearing its words and let it go with a smile thinking that how can such a small mouse be of any help to me. But a day came, when the lion got into trouble. He got caught in a hunter's net under that very tree. As a result, he started roaring loudly. On hearing his roar, the mouse came out of its hole. This was the time to pay back the lion's mercy. So, immediately it nibbled the cords of the net and set the lion free. Remember, mercy never goes unrewarded." - UnknownAuthor's Info on Wikipedia - Author on ebay - Author on Amazon - More Quotes by this AuthorStart Searching Amazon for GiftsSend as Free eCard with optional Google Image

[Quote No.54462] Need Area: Friends > General "[Morality, ethics, the Golden Rule and reciprocity: When asked to mention one of the most excellent parts of Iman (Faith) Muhammad said among other things...] To do unto all men as you would wish to have done unto you, and to reject for others what you would reject for yourself. [On other occasions he said...] Ye will not enter Paradise until ye have faith, and ye will not complete your faith until ye love one another. [And...]
No man hath believed perfectly, until he wish for his brother that which he wisheth for himself. [And...]
Whoever wants to be drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, let him ...do for the people what he likes them to do for him." - MuhammadMuhammad is the founder and chief prophet of Islam and the source for the Quran. The name 'Muhammad' means 'highly praised'. [Refer http://forcommongood.com/blog/?p=340 and http://www.twf.org/Sayings/Sayings2.html ]Author's Info on Wikipedia - Author on ebay - Author on Amazon - More Quotes by this AuthorStart Searching Amazon for GiftsSend as Free eCard with optional Google Image